A longtime Las Vegas icon for live music and craft cocktails, The Sand Dollar Lounge will open a second location inside the Plaza Hotel & Casino this fall, bringing to downtown Las Vegas a venue dedicated to late-night live music and entertainment.
In 1976, the Sand Dollar Blues Bar opened its doors, and almost instantly became one of Las Vegas’ most iconic bars. Some of the greatest blues legends, as well as many other famous musicians, graced its stage for more than 30 years. People like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and even Mick Jagger would swing into the Sand Dollar when they were in Las Vegas. In 2007, the Sand Dollar Blues Bar closed its doors, but it was resurrected in 2009, when The Sand Dollar Lounge opened on Spring Mountain Road honoring the tradition and history of the iconic Vegas venue. In 2015, the Sand Dollar Lounge was taken over by the current owners Nathan Grates and Anthony Jamison with an eye on bringing back and building on its original luster.
Now the iconic venue will open The Sand Dollar Downtown, a second location in a similarly iconic Vegas destination, the Plaza Hotel & Casino, which dates to the Rat Pack era as well and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The Sand Dollar Downtown will be in a nearly 5,000 sq. ft. space adjacent to the Plaza’s casino floor. It plans to offer its full menu of craft cocktails with pizzas made by Pop Up Pizza at the Plaza. Live music, both local acts and other headliners, will take the stage in the evenings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
“The Plaza is known for its vintage Vegas character and is proud to partner with a legendary Vegas venue like the Sand Dollar,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “The opening of the Sand Dollar at the Plaza will create a late-night destination for live music unlike any other in downtown Las Vegas.”
“We are very excited to be expanding The Sand Dollar legacy into Downtown Las Vegas with the Plaza,” said co-owner Anthony Jamison.
“Sand Dollar Downtown will be focused on recreating the classic age of electric blues and Rock ‘n Roll in the Downtown corridor,” added Nathan Grates.
About the Plaza Hotel & Casino
Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino combines a vintage Rat Pack attitude with modern styling and personal customer service for the ultimate Vegas experience. First opened in 1971 and built on the site of the original Las Vegas railroad depot, the Plaza has nearly 1,000 modern rooms and suites, a classic Vegas showroom, downtown’s only bingo hall, and 30,000 sq. ft. of refurbished ballroom and meeting space. Larger outdoor events are hosted at the Plaza’s Core Arena, downtown’s only equestrian and multipurpose facility. Guests enjoy a variety of dining options led by the renowned Oscar’s Steakhouse in the hotel’s iconic glass dome overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. A new race & sports book along with hundreds of slot machines and nearly two dozen table games comprise an 80,000-square-foot casino floor. A fully renovated rooftop pool and recreation deck complete with private cabanas, hot tub, food truck, tennis court and dedicated Pickleball courts, provide a variety of outdoor amenities. For more information on the multiple award-winning Plaza Hotel & Casino, visit www.plazahotelcasino.com. Get updates via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About The Sand Dollar Lounge
Located at the gateway to Las Vegas’ booming Chinatown district, The Sand Dollar Lounge is a local Vegas landmark enjoying the rush of a second life. Originally opened as a blues bar in 1976, The Sand Dollar quickly became a draw for iconic musicians including Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and even Mick Jagger over its first 30 years. Hit by hard times, The Sand Dollar shortly closed its doors in 2013, but its spirit would not let it rest and within two years was purchased and reignited by a team of hospitality veterans, Anthony Jamison, and Nathan Grates in July 2015. Honoring the tradition and history of the iconic Las Vegas venue, The Sand Dollar Lounge has reclaimed its beloved spot as a premier live music venue with free entertainment nightly, adding rotating craft beer selections, an extensive whiskey collection, seasonal craft cocktails by some of the city’s best bartenders, and an amazing pizza kitchen. Named “Cocktail Bar of the Year” (KNPR’s Desert Companion) and “Best Dive Bars” (Thrillist), most recently last year’s Miracle on Spring Mountain won a Pinnacle award from the Public Relations Society of America while the Nevada Restaurant Association named the Sand Dollar Lounge “Outstanding Innovative Bar” of 2020. For updated information and entertainment listings, please visit thesanddollarlv.com/ Facebook: @TheSandDollarLV Instagram: @thesanddollarlv
